 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
Pet Forum / Mammals / Rats / September 2005Gerbil with a head tilt
I have two gerbils, who are about 2 years old, was feeding them today, when I noticed one of them has his head permanently tilted to one side, not at a large angle, but enough to know its not how he usually is. Does anyone know what it might be? Hes still running about and eating, just running with his head turned. Dollymarie > I have two gerbils, who are about 2 years old, was feeding them today, when > I noticed one of them has his head permanently tilted to one side, not at > a large angle, but enough to know its not how he usually is. > Does anyone know what it might be? > Hes still running about and eating, just running with his head turned. > Dollymarie In rats, I would say he has an ear infection. If he gets meds soon, the head tilt may not be permanent. Joanne Owned by 14 rats In rats it most likely signifies an inner ear infection. Check with your vet who can prescribe some antibiotics. Definitely check with your vet to rule out anything more serious. -Lisa >I have two gerbils, who are about 2 years old, was feeding them today, when > I noticed one of them has his head permanently tilted to one side, not at > a large angle, but enough to know its not how he usually is. > Does anyone know what it might be? > Hes still running about and eating, just running with his head turned. > Dollymarie hello, just thought I would update you, I took him to the vets, and yes you were right, he has an ear infection, he gave him the anti-inflamatory and an antibiotics, and I have to take him back tomorrow for another round of the same. The vet said he would do his best, but not to get my hopes too high, as he could well not recover, and need to be put down if he stops eating or starts falling over. Will keep you posted, and thanks for your help. Dollymarie > hello, just thought I would update you, I took him to the vets, and yes you > were right, he has an ear infection, he gave him the anti-inflamatory and [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > Will keep you posted, and thanks for your help. > Dollymarie Hi Dollymarie, Is your vet an exotic vet? Even if the little guy is off balance, they can live a full life like that. I had a rat, at 6 months old developed a severe head tilt and was shaking quite badly. He lived to be 28 months old like that. Don't give up!! Joanne Owned by 14 rats I've had two rats now with headtilts that were much, much more severe than your little guys sounds, and with the right antibiotics they have pulled through and been as right as rain. Timmy still has his headtilt, which I anticipate he will have his entire life, but he is healthy otherwise and the infection seems to be gone. They have to be treated very aggressively though, and there are more effective drugs than others out there that are ideal to penetrate the ear. Chloropalm is one that is excellent for those conditions, although I don't know if gerbils have any drugs that they can't take (like guinea pigs can't be given any pennecillins). I am sure that your little guy will do just fine, you caught it so very early on. Just thought I would post to say that I think he is going to be ok, his head tilt is hardly there anymore, and I knew his was back to his almost best yesterday when he bit me! He has to have one more day of antibiotics and anti-inflammatories tomorrow and even the vet said he was amazed how well he had recovered. Thanks for your help. Marie |
Reply to this Message |
 Sign In
 Join
 My Latest Posts My Monitored Threads My Blog My Photo Gallery My Profile My Homepage Start New Thread Enable EMail Alerts Rate this Thread
|
©2009 Advenet LLC Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.